Sign in toNJ.com

Sixers' Joel Embiid scoring at better rate than any rookie since Wilt Chamberlain

Updated on January 18, 2017 at 9:36 AMPosted on January 18, 2017 at 9:30 AM

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) lines up a shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 102-93.
(Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports)

From on-court excellence to dominant defensive prowess in the paint to social media shenanigans, Embiid is the most entertaining rookie big man to enter the sport since a young Shaquille O'Neal over two decades ago.

Offensively, he's doing something better than any rookie big man since one of the rare centers actually more dominant than Shaq: Wilt Chamberlain.

No, that's not a typo. After Embiid's 22-point outburst against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday afternoon, the Sixers star has bumped his points per minute average higher than any player in history since Chamberlain.

As the Sixers attempt to transition from "The Process" to sustainable winning and the next phase of a rebuild, Embiid's emergence--after missing two full years with foot issues--has been remarkable to watch. When the (deserving) Eastern Conference All-Star has been on the court, the Sixers are a good team (six wins in last seven games when Embiid plays). When he sits (as he does on every back-to-back on the schedule), they are 2-9 this season.